According to Mundo Deportivo, Bologna coach Thiago Motta remains an option for the Barcelona job, and the same is true of Roberto De Zerbi, who will leave Brighton at the end of the season.

Barcelona directors have been urged to consider Thiago Motta as a replacement for Xavi if the ex-midfielder leaves the club at the end of the season.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Motta has been mentioned to Barcelona directors by people outside Motta’s entourage.

MD: Thiago Motta offered to Barcelona, De Zerbi still a candidate

Motta has led Bologna to a historic Champions League qualification this season. The ex-Italian midfielder said that he’d meet club President Joey Saputo next week to discuss his future at the Stadio Dall’Ara and insisted that he had not reached an agreement with any other club.

However, several sources in Italy insist Motta will be the new Juventus coach in 2024-25.

According to Mundo Deportivo, another Italian coach, De Zerbi, is a candidate for the Barcelona job.

The former Sassuolo tactician will leave Brighton after today’s game against Manchester United.

The festivities are soon to begin for Bologna, after they secured qualification to the Champions League last weekend, for the first time since their appearance in the preliminary round in 1964, and now the club are planning for a few celebrations to recognise this season’s accomplishments.

Bologna confirmed on Sunday that they will stage an open-top bus parade through the city, beginning from the square outside the Dall’Ara’s Curva Bulgarelli, leading to the Piazza Maggiore, where thousands of supporters are expected to be waiting in order to congratulate the team.

The parade will also take the team past several iconic spots in the city of Bologna, including the Piazza Malpighi and through Via Indipendenza.

The club, with an official statement, have urged supporters who live or work along the route to decorate their homes and/or businesses in Bologna colours.

The events are due to take place on Wednesday 22 May, beginning at 18.30 BST, 19.30 local time.

What Bologna need to confirm third place in Serie A

On the pitch, The Rossoblu are due to face Juventus in Serie A on Monday night, which will likely determine the final ranking of the two teams in question, who are currently level on points in third and fourth place, with 67 apiece.

A win for Bologna against Juve will secure third place in the league, while a draw means that the teams will still be level on points, and on head-to-head given their 1-1 draw earlier in the season. If the latter scenario is the case, the final standings will be determined on the final day of the season next weekend.

In contrast, a loss against Juventus will mean that the Old Lady will confirm their spot in third place at full-time on Sunday.

It has taken Thiago Motta just six years to progress from the bottom of the coaching ranks to one of the most sought-after tacticians in Europe: here’s how the ex-Italy international has taken the Rossoblu to the Champions League and became the leading candidate for the Juventus job.

The 41-year-old’s appointment at Bologna was not greeted with universal approval yet the former Italy international has led the Rossoblu to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

It is a monumental achievement for a coach who was belittled for suggesting the merits of a 2-7-2 formation when he transitioned from the pitch to the dugout with the Paris Saint-Germain under-19 squad.

Motta’s pathway to qualification for Europe’s top competition has been unconventional.

Sacked after just 10 games at the helm in Genoa the ex-Inter midfielder had to wait patiently before leading Spezia to safety in the 2021-2022 season. Drafted in when Bologna relieved Sinisa Mihajlovic of his duties in September 2022, the Brazilian-born coach was not greeted by hordes of cheering Rossoblu ultras.

Yet Motta guided the club to its best-ever points tally in the modern era—matching the 54 recorded by the 1963-1964 championship-winning team—as he steered the Emilia-Romagna club to ninth in the table.

Nobody foresaw such an improvement this term.

The benefits of a full pre-season as coach and excellent player recruitment, especially in defence, yielded spectacular results.

Motta’s willingness to adapt different strategies within a flexible formation while utilising every talented squad member produced a formidable team that was undaunted to duke it out with the Serie A heavyweights.

The young tactician ostensibly lined up his side in a 4-3-3 configuration with an emphasis on the flanks. It has also been interpreted as 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 depending on his starting XI. Yet there has been consistency in the deployment of a back four, a holding midfielder, two wingers and a lone forward.

Motta favours an advanced press to suffocate the opposition and retrieve possession rapidly. A calculated build-up from the back aims to manipulate occupied areas, as the widemen rarely stray from the touchlines.

Everyone tracks back as Bologna resembles two blocks of four and five when defending their goal. It is a mixture of pragmatic and creative, as Motta’s side’s fitness and physical tenacity have proved the difference in several big games.

An animated and motivational presence on the sidelines, the former Inter treble winner clearly has the respect of a committed player pool. Before an extremely unfortunate season-ending injury, Lewis Ferguson established himself as one of the leaders in a side with multiple match winners.

The Scottish midfielder’s link-up play with Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee had been a hallmark of a Rossoblu side which patiently dictates from the back.

Motta transformed former full-back Riccardo Calafiori into a ball-playing central defender with a license to roam forward. The ex-Roma youth product now looks certain to be part of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad at the European Championships after an outstanding campaign.

Although there are reliable mainstays—Austrian full-back Stefan Posch, Colombian stopper Jhon Lucumi, and Dutch centre-back Sam Beukema in defence, Swiss midfielder anchor Remo Freuler, and Zirkzee upfront—Motta has often rotated his squad, leaving key players out.

Even star winger Riccardo Orsolini has not been guaranteed a starting place as the coach has tweaked his team with surprising regularity.

It is a testament to Motta’s decision-making and man-management that no schisms have emerged in the 24-strong squads despite the changes.

His ability to keep fringe players fresh and focused should not be underestimated either.

Motta has not left anyone on the bench permanently.

Italian under-21 cap Giovanni Fabbian, Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi and versatile Danish forward Jens Odgaard have all made vital contributions when called upon. Backup goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia has also played his part in place of regular first-choice Lukasz Skorupski.

Without such a unified effort the Rossoblu’s advance up the standings would not have been possible. Success inevitably attracts admirers and Motta might be coaching a different club in the Champions League next term.

It has been widely reported for weeks that Juventus, who travel to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday night, want the Brazilian-born coach to replace Massimiliano Allegri.

Regardless of where he ends up, the innovative young tactician can look back on a milestone campaign that will be remembered for years to come in Bologna.

@SKasiewicz

The dismissal of Max Allegri and likely arrival of Thiago Motta as Juventus coach could change plans to sell Manchester United target Gleison Bremer.

It had been widely assumed that the Brazil international would be sacrificed this summer with a sale price of €70m.

That is considered more than fair, as Juve paid €50m to purchase him from Torino in 2022 and the 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Turin and his contract runs to June 2028.

However, the situation at Juventus has certainly changed with yesterday’s decision to sack coach Allegri.

Most assume that Bologna boss Thiago Motta has been lined up to replace him next season and that could transform their transfer plans too.

Thiago Motta wants Bremer at Juve

According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, Thiago Motta is a real admirer of Bremer and wants him to be the rock at the centre of their defence, especially if they move to a 4-3-3 formation.

This is not the only change, as Federico Chiesa was extremely frustrated under Allegri’s tactics, but could be convinced to stay with Thiago Motta at the helm.

On the other hand, Adrien Rabiot is more likely to join Manchester United as a free agent now that Allegri has been sacked.

It is now confirmed that Atalanta, Bologna, Juventus, Milan and Inter qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League, but it is still possible Serie A could get a sixth slot.

La Dea got the three points they needed this evening with a 2-0 victory away to Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare, which guaranteed their place in the top five.

It is a return to the Champions League after a three-year absence for the Bergamo boys, who are gearing up for Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen.

That means Atalanta cannot be caught by Roma and Lazio, so the confirmed Italian entries for the Champions League are Inter, Milan, Juventus, Bologna and Atalanta.

Serie A still in with chance of six slots

However, it is still possible for Italy to have a sixth place in the new, expanded tournament, but only if certain conditions are met.

They need Atalanta to win the Europa League Final on May 22, but also to finish in fifth place.

If Atalanta manage to overtake Bologna or Juventus into fourth, then victory in the Europa League will become irrelevant.

This is because the ‘extra’ slot rules were drawn up before the season began and go to a team who finish outside the top four in Serie A.

As it happens, Serie A already managed to get a fifth bonus slot thanks to their superior club ranking, so does not ‘count’ for calculating the Europa League victor’s qualification.

https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1791890353051598964

Miroslav Mihajlovic, the son of the late Sinisa, will soon take on a coaching role within the Bologna youth system, continuing the beautiful story between the family and the club.

The Rossoblu were at the centre of a Cinderella story in Serie A this season as Thiago Motta transformed the team into an electric outfit, guiding them to the Champions League for the first time in six decades.

Whilst Thiago Motta deserves much praise for his work at Bologna over the last two years, many have also highlighted how the foundations for this success were laid by Mihajlovic, who tragically passed away aged 53 in December 2022 due to leukaemia. He is still a beloved figure in Emilia-Romagna.

A Mihajlovic back at Bologna

Page seven of today’s Corriere dello Sport details how Miroslav Mihajlovic, the son of the late coach, has already received his UEFA C license and will soon take on a role with the Under-15 or Under-16 teams in Bologna’s youth system, working as an assistant coach.

The youngster opened up about what it means to follow in his father’s footsteps to the press earlier this year, saying: “I learned from him what it means to be a man and what human values should never be betrayed.

“I want to get to Serie A, I owe it to my father, and I owe it to myself, because this is my great passion, coaching becomes a reason for living.”

Milan are reportedly feeling ‘optimistic’ they can convince Joshua Zirkzee and his agent to favour them over Arsenal in the race for the Bologna striker.

They had seemingly been ruled out due to the sheer financial might of the Premier League clubs, especially as the Rossoblu were asking for €60-70m to sell the Dutchman.

However, it was then revealed that the €40m release clause was not just valid for Bayern Munich, but for any club ready to pay it before the end of June.

This put Milan back in the hunt and Calciomercato.com as well as Matteo Moretto claim that they are putting a great deal of pressure on agent Kia Joorabchian to keep Zirkzee in Serie A.

Zirkzee hot property for Bologna

Arsenal remain the favourites, but the Rossoneri are believed to be feeling ‘optimistic’ that they can get a deal done over the summer.

It is reported that Zirkzee would give Milan the upper hand after talks with director Geoffrey Moncada and club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Joshua Zirkzee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, is a close friend of Arsenal director Edu, so he wants the Bologna star to join the Gunners. However, Milan still hope to persuade the Dutchman and his representative.

Zirkzee’s agent, Joorabchian, is plotting a summer move to Arsenal for the Bologna striker, and if it were only up to him, the Dutchman would sign for the Gunners, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

The Italian newspaper claims Joorabchian is a close friend of Arsenal director Edu, so he is pushing his client to the Emirates Stadium.

Agent wants Zirkzee to join Arsenal because of Edu but Milan still hope

Zirkzee has a €40m clause in his contract with Bologna and it is valid for all clubs, not only Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians are also entitled to a 45% sell-on clause, meaning Bologna will earn just €21m from Zirkzee’s sale this summer.

Arsenal are ready to offer the Dutch striker a €6m-a-year contract, but Milan still hope to persuade the 22-year-old.

According to the report, Zirkzee would be happy to remain in Serie A for at least one more season to continue his development, but his agent seems to have other ideas.

The Rossoneri remain in talks with the striker’s representative and still hope to convince him to complete the deal and make Zirkzee their new centre forward in 2024-25.

Bologna top goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee will not feature at the EURO 2024 tournament in Germany this summer after being left off Ronald Koemann’s provisional 30-man list.

Several international sides, including recent World Cup winners France and Germany, as well as the aforementioned Netherlands, released their provisional squads on Thursday.

Though the Netherlands have issued an initial 30-player squad, which will need to be trimmed down to 26 for the final tournament, Zirkzee has not made the cut.

Five other Serie A players are in contention to represent the Netherlands at the EUROs, however, including Inter defenders Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij, plus Atalanta Midfielders Marten De Roon and Teun Koopmeiners, as well as Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.

Unfortunate for Zirkzee

The 22-year-old striker has been one of Thiago Motta’s key players during the 2023-24 season, in what will go down as an historic campaign as Bologna secured a spot in the final edition of the Champions League for the first time since the competition’s inception.

He has netted 11 goals and laid on five further assists for his teammates across 34 matches in Serie A this campaign.

For large parts of the season, reports have suggested that Zirkzee is ready to step up to a ‘big’ club this summer, with Milan rumoured to be the most interested party in Italy.

The player reportedly has a €40m release clause in his contract. Though some understood that clause to be valid only for his former club Bayern Munich, it has since been clarified that the Bavarians have the first right of refusal, and that the clause is in fact valid for all clubs.

Additionally, Corriere dello Sport claim that Bayern Munich, who already have England captain Harry Kane and promising talent Mathys Tel on their books, are not interested in buying Zirkzee back this summer.

One month before our first game, here's our 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝 for @EURO2024! #NothingLikeOranje #CreateHistory pic.twitter.com/484HIAQVV2

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) May 16, 2024

Reports claim that the release clause of Bologna ace Joshua Zirkzee is valid for all clubs, not just Bayern Munich, allowing Milan to take a step forward for the striker.

The 22-year-old Dutch striker is widely expected to make the jump to a top club in the summer after his shining season under Thiago Motta, netting 11 goals and providing five assists across 34 league matches, playing a crucial role in their historic charge to the Champions League.

It’s been widely reported that Zirkzee has a €40m release clause in his contract, valid for his former club Bayern Munich, who aren’t expected to return for the striker. A long list of other clubs including Inter, Milan, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Zirkzee clause

Page 16 of today’s Corriere dello Sport suggests that Zirkzee’s €40m release clause with Bologna isn’t only valid for Bayern, but for all interested parties, with the German giants only holding the first-choice option. A future resale percentage has also apparently been attached to the deal.

The news comes as a boost for Milan, who have now seriously started working on a deal as they look to snap up the talented Dutch striker ahead of their competition.

While Massimiliano Allegri is edging towards the exit door at Juventus, the Serie A giants are ready to offer Thiago Motta a two-year deal with an option for a further campaign.

Juventus director Giuntoli has identified Bologna boss Thiago Motta as the ideal coach for the Bianconeri’s project and several sources in Italy, including Gazzetta, report the Serie A giants are ready to offer the ex-Italy international a two-year contract.

The deal would include an option for a further campaign. Il Corriere della Sera had reported on Wednesday that Motta would sign a €3.5m-a-year contract in Turin.

Motta has secured a Champions League qualification with Bologna this season and his contract at the Stadio Dall’Ara runs out in June.

Juventus’ contract offer for Thiago Motta revealed

According to Gazzetta, Motta has yet to sit down with Bologna directors to discuss a possible extension, but he has reportedly informed the Bianconeri that he’s open to moving to Turin.

Motta is seen as an ideal candidate, not only for his playing style, but also because he’s proved to be excellent in developing young talents.

Juventus have also been linked with Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee and Motta’s appointment would make the Old Lady’s interest even stronger.

• Read more – Allegri holds back tears and asks journalist: ‘Have you sacked me already?’

Luciano Spalletti has already started to draw up his Italy squad for the upcoming European Championship, suggesting that ‘20% of the list is open’ to those who have proven themselves.

The Azzurri need to produce a definitive response at the fast-approaching tournament in Germany next month following their painful World Cup qualification failure, which saw the team miss out on the 2022 edition in Qatar after falling to North Macedonia in the playoffs.

Spalletti took over the Italy national team fresh off the back of his historic Scudetto success with Napoli, restoring some faith in the Azzurri after the downturn turn of the Roberto Mancini era. Hopes are high for the defending champions as they look to prove themselves once again on the international stage under Spalletti.

Spalletti considerations

Speaking at the Vivo Azzurro TV presentation via TMW, Spalletti first discussed his position and mindset as the Italy coach.

“I’ve said several times that I’ve been very lucky to do this job here and I’ve almost always been happy. When it comes to victory and defeat, I see two sides of the same coin, it creates those situations around you that don’t let you be yourself.

“You cannot live in victory or defeat, you must live in balance. I can’t wait to share this passion for the Azzurri shirt with all Italians. For me it will be fundamental to return to Italy and hear the Italian people tell us ‘we are proud of you’.

“In football there are situations that can change destiny, for example Tardelli controlled that ball badly in 1982, then picked up the pace and found the goal. He took that little step to coordinate himself and find the goal.”

Spalletti then spoke about the meaning of wearing the Italy shirt and his squad considerations ahead of the European Championship.

“The Azzurri shirt is not only worn during the two hours of training or matches, but it is worn for 24 hours a day, even working overtime for a couple of hours more a day.

“We’ve not yet been good at creating a new style, we’ve remained with our tradition, and we’ve not put a bit of technology into it, like Vivo Azzurro TV has done for example.

“We still have some steps to make important, despite the compliments that must be paid to our teams who are at the highest European level even playing a certain level of football.

“I close myself in my house and try to realize minute by minute what the time we’ll spend in Germany will be like, we have this window open to our athletes, we mustn’t give the feeling of dealing with spoiled children, but of dealing with very serious professionals.

“Then I am there to perfect this squad, 70 to 80% of it is already done, however, there is this 20% open to embrace those who show us that they want to be part of it or to let out those who think that this shirt is just a little game.

“Compliments must be given to Bologna for the football they have shown, as well as Atalanta and Inter. There are some situations that don’t go as we would like and that are not real compared to the value of the teams or the coach who leads these teams.”

Ex-Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri is an option for the Bologna job if Thiago Motta leaves at the end of the season, reports Gazzetta.

Motta’s Bologna contract runs out next month and he’s been linked with several big European clubs, including Juventus and Manchester United.

Multiple sources claim the Old Lady is leading the race for the ex-Italy international, but Motta hasn’t yet sat down with the Rossoblu agents to discuss his future.

According to Gazzetta, Bologna have four main candidates if Motta goes.

One of the main ones is Maurizio Sarri. The Tuscan tactician recently resigned as Lazio coach and according to the report, he’d be glad to work with a team with an attacking mentality instilled by Motta and being involved in the Champions League would be a big plus.

According to Gazzetta, other potential candidates are Raffaele Palladino, Eusebio Di Francesco and Vincenzo Italiano, but Bologna’s main objective is to keep Motta at the Stadio Dall’Ara beyond the summer.

“To us, it would be great to continue with him. The idea is to confirm all our protagonists,” said Bologna CEO Claudio Fenucci.

“He has done incredible work improving the team,” continued sporting director Marco Di Vaio, as quoted by Gazzetta.

“The first target is to listen to him and his ideas. We do not need to sell our players. We want to confirm ourselves in Europe with the players we have.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Golden Inter

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It will be a stellar Scudetto celebration: it would take three of San Siro to fit them all in

Gem Vitor Roque for the attack

Fofana and Royal, 50 million at the ready

Milan targets for midfield and defence

Negotiations with Monaco and Tottenham

Bologna: If Motta leaves, the first objective is Sarri

Saputo will meet Thiago soon

Udinese win in Lecce and can see safety again

Viola OK, Napoli overtaken

Coppa Italia Final

Magnificent enemies

Secrets of Gasp and Max ahead of the showdown

Atalanta-Juve in Rome

Il Corriere dello Sport

Juve, 100 million from Max

Tomorrow the Coppa Italia: Allegri prepares to leave the club with a rich inheritance

Champions League already secured, Club World Cup and Supercoppa: a super cash-in

And if he beats Gasperini in the final, he’ll achieve a record

Napoli, summit for the new coach

DeLa is in a hurry

President brings together directors: Gasp remains the favourite, but Conte, Italiano and Pioli resist

Dybala mystery: fifth place to avoid losing him

Future in the balance

Saudi Arabia is tempting, he could leave Roma by the end of July thanks to 12m clause

Lazio open to exits of Luis and Guendouzi

Two big sales

Spaniard and Frenchman row with Tudor: they can guarantee 45 million

Lotito strategy

A Big Champions League

We discover the formula and dangers of the new tournament

Inter, Milan, Juve and Bologna already in, Atalanta on the verge

Roma and Lazio hope

There are eight games in the first phase and risk of tougher clashes between the biggest clubs

Italiano overtakes

Fiorentina surge past Napoli: they are eighth

Nico Gonzalez and Arthur overturn Monza: futile Djuric goal (1-2)

Calzona leapfrogged: on Friday the showdown at the Stadio Franchi

Cannavaro, safety is getting closer

Lecce 0-2 Udinese

Tuttosport

Juve, everything for Chiesa

Tomorrow the Coppa Italia Final with Atalanta: Allegri and the fans cling to the Azzurri star

Fede already decisive 3 years ago against Gasp

Yildiz anxious over his shoulder: tests today

Strange game for Koopmeiners, Bianconeri objective

Season ticket campaign: changes for the Champions League

Bologna in the Champions League

Pavlidis and other big projects

Celebration and programmes: ‘We are ambitious’

Motta, Zirkzee and Calafiori out? Here are the alternative plans

Sartori locked down until 2026

From Morandi to Cremonini: city delirious with its artists

Udinese win at Lecce, thrilling rush for safety

Viola 2-1 over Monza

Toro, have you realised where your riches lie?

Savva and Dellavalle dream debuts

Atzori, President of Chisola who launched the defender: ‘Juric could’ve given him a chance much earlier’

Victor does not stop the protest: banners at the Filadelfia

Verona, the video of shame

Milan in the balance

Maignan-Theo renewal problems

The big names could leave too

Agreement a long way off: Bayern after both the goalkeeper and full-back

Tonali-style proposals accepted for Leao too

Camarda issue

Coach: Conte found the door closed

Check out today’s latest news from Serie A, including Bologna’s history-making season and Milan’s endless search for a new head coach.

Fabio Capello felt Roberto De Zerbi is considered a top coach only ‘because Pep Guardiola sponsors him’ and asked ‘what has he won in his career?’

La Gazzetta dello Sport was extremely harsh on an ’embarrassing’ Juventus who qualified for the Champions League despite a 1-1 home draw against already relegated Salernitana.

More Serie A news

Bologna owner Joey Saputo is going back to Bologna to celebrate a ‘historic milestone’ as the Rossoblu have qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever.

There are serious fears that Bologna and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee could be forced to miss out on the upcoming European Championship through injury.

Charles De Ketelaere exposed Evan Ndicka and was the undisputed Man of the Match in Atalanta‘s 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday while Romelu Lukaku was left alone.

Arrigo Sacchi admitted he was ‘surprised’ by the Milan fans’ recent protest, defending the club and explaining why things aren’t as bad as they seem.

Giovanni Sartori has played a vital role in Bologna‘s historic Champions League qualification this season after accomplishing the same feat at Chievo Verona and Atalanta in the past.

Daniele De Rossi feels Roma should ‘follow the same path’ as Atalanta and insists fellow Serie A side La Dea are one of the few teams that can cause trouble for Bayer Leverkusen.

Adrien Rabiot was evasive when asked about his future with Juventus and Serie A, noting how he ‘won’t talk to the club’ until after the Coppa Italia final.

Cesc Fabregas opened up about his promotion-winning season at Como, the plans for their Serie A campaign and the rumours surrounding Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.

Watch the best videos from Bologna, including chants for late coach Sinisa Mihajlovic as the Rossoblu mathematically secured a Champions League placement in Serie A.

Napoli have reopened talks with Antonio Conte after he lowered his wage demands and fellow Serie A side Milan are also ready to meet the former Chelsea coach again, reports detail.

Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz is at serious risk of missing the upcoming Coppa Italia final against Atalanta through injury.

Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento is ‘happy’ with the reports linking him to Inter and identified his own possible replacement at the Brazilian club.

Bayern Munich are still on the hunt for a new head coach and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi remains a candidate ahead of the summer.

Bologna CEO Claudio Fenucci admits only Thiago Motta knows whether he’ll remain after Champions League qualification, but while Joshua Zirkzee has ‘a particular contract,’ the other Serie A stars can stay.

Bologna CEO Claudio Fenucci admits only Thiago Motta knows whether he’ll remain after Champions League qualification, but while Joshua Zirkzee has ‘a particular contract,’ the other stars can stay.

The Rossoblu mathematically guaranteed their place in the top five of Serie A last night, sparking celebrations in the city centre, and can now prepare to be part of the biggest competition in European club football.

“It’s an achievement this club had not reached in 60 years, a journey that we started 10 years ago, as when we arrived, we were in Serie B,” Fenucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“Progressively, the club grew, we had good seasons and others that were less impressive, but it was always a growth process. With Thiago Motta, there was also a decisive step up in terms of performance and results.”

The squad had been given the day off, but everyone came together at the training ground last night anyway to watch Atalanta beat Roma 2-1, a result that guaranteed Bologna’s qualification.

Having not even participated in European competition for over 20 years, they now find themselves at the top table in the Champions League.

“We are already evaluating the profiles to reinforce this squad. The intention is to continue the journey with all the players we had this season.”

Uncertainty around Bologna heroes

However, there is some real uncertainty around Bologna, especially their biggest names, as coach Thiago Motta’s contract expires on June 30 and he has been heavily linked with Juventus.

“Only Thiago knows what he will do next and soon we will all know… In his last interview, he said that when there is something new to say, he will tell everyone, so I stick to that.

“We will talk over the next few days, he knows that we would like to continue with him for all he has given the team, not just in terms of their performances. It would be marvellous to continue together, now we need to talk to him.

“When we hired Thiago, he represented something new, a different model of football and of football culture. He played in big clubs, he was able to assimilate those concepts on how to deal with teams.”

Thiago Motta took over in September 2022 from Sinisa Mihajlovic, who battled leukaemia twice at Bologna before succumbing to the illness in December 2022.

“His smile is always with us. Sinisa arrived during a difficult moment for Bologna and he lifted us back up. He gave us motivation, a work ethic, and I think with him we might’ve started a similar cycle of success as the one we are seeing now. He contributed to this success.”

The other uncertainty is around Zirkzee, who has been linked with numerous clubs including Milan, Juventus, Inter, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

“We would like to give a sense of consistency, so keep the coach and as many players as possible,” continued Fenucci.

“Zirkzee has a particular contract, so he is in control of some decisions, but the others are all owned by us and the club is solid. We do not need to sell in order to finance new signings.”

Watch the best videos from Bologna, including chants for late coach Sinisa Mihajlovic as the Rossoblu mathematically secured a Champions League placement in Serie A.

Over 10,000 Bologna fans flooded into Piazza Maggiore on Sunday night following Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Roma, which meant Thiago Motta’s men mathematically qualified for the 2024-25 Champions League.

Notti (rossoblu) di @ChampionsLeague! pic.twitter.com/rHGbeDfNnA

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 13, 2024

Italy international Riccardo Orsolini gave a DAZN reporter a lift to Piazza Maggiore, where he joined his teammates in celebrating with the fans. Bologna players watched Atalanta–Roma at their training centre before rushing to the city centre.

One of their stars, Joshua Zirkzee, was crazy for joy while leaving Casteldebole and came outside a car shouting ‘Champions League, Champions League.’

The Dutch striker also reacted on his official Instagram account, writing: ‘Mission accomplished, I love you Bologna.’

Did @BolognaFC1909en clinch Champions League football for the first time in 59 years?

Let’s ask Joshua Zirkzee, maybe he can help answer

pic.twitter.com/S17XdlEnaf

— Matt Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) May 13, 2024

There was also a touching moment in Piazza Maggiore, where ultras paid tribute to former coach Mihajlovic who was painfully sacked in September 2022, just three months before his tragic death.

Anche in uno dei momenti più importanti nella storia del proprio club, Bologna non dimentica Sinisa Mihajlovic

Eterno

[ @francescolivo] pic.twitter.com/s379MjwApp

— CALCIATORI BRUTTI (@CB_Ignoranza) May 13, 2024

 

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Oh hi there, @ChampionsLeague #UCL #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/wUQcQTmO1H

— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) May 13, 2024

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE pic.twitter.com/RwfV6QHp1W

— Lorenzo De Silvestri (@l_desilvestri) May 12, 2024

• Read more – Sartori: Who is the man behind Bologna’s Champions League miracle

Giovanni Sartori has played a vital role in Bologna‘s historic Champions League qualification this season after accomplishing the same feat at Chievo Verona and Atalanta in the past.

Thiago Motta, Joshua Zirkzee, Lewis Ferguson and Riccardo Calafiori have made headlines this season having contributed to Bologna’s Champions League qualification for the first time in history. The Rossoblu had played only once in Europe’s elite tournament when it was called ‘European Cup’ in 1964-65.

However, those working behind the scenes have also had a massive impact on Rossoblu’s results this season, and sporting director Sartori is surely among them.

Sartori: The man behind Bologna’s Champions League miracle

A former striker for Udinese, Milan and Sampdoria, among others, Sartori had already secured a Champions League qualification with Chievo Verona and Atalanta. Sartori made nine appearances in Serie A and 89 in Serie B during his player career.

The 67-year-old was appointed as the Chievo director in 1992 after hanging his boots with the Gialloblu.

Sartori brought the team from Serie C to Serie A and in 2006, following the Calciopoli scandal, Chievo qualified for the Champions League playoffs but were eliminated by Levski Sofia. Sartori left the Verona-based club in July 2014 and was appointed by Atalanta the following month.

Like Chievo, Atalanta also qualified for the Champions League for the first time during Sartori’s spell. They did it in 2018-19 after finishing third in Serie A. La Dea obtained the same result in the following two seasons, and Atalanta were just two minutes away from reaching the UCL semis in 2019-20 when PSG scored two stoppage-time goals in the quarter-finals.

Sartori was appointed by Bologna in 2022 and in his second season at the club, he accomplished another historic feat.

There are serious fears that Bologna and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee could be forced to miss out on the upcoming European Championship through injury.

The 22-year-old Dutchman has been one of the stars of the show in Thiago Motta’s high flying Rossoblu squad this season, playing a crucial role in their historic charge to the Champions League, netting 11 goals and providing five assists across 34 league matches.

Bologna secured their Champions League spot with their win over Napoli on Sunday evening, but it was only an evening of half-celebration for Zirkzee, who was forced off the pitch in the 73^rd minute with a muscle injury, which left him tearful as he limped off.

Zirkzee fears

TMW highlights how Zirkzee seemingly suffered a painful injury to his left hamstring, an issue that could keep him sidelined for around four weeks, which would force him to miss out on the Netherlands’ upcoming European Championship campaign.

It would come as a bitter blow for the 22-year-old, who already suffered an injury with the same muscle back in March.

Bologna owner Joey Saputo is going back to Bologna to celebrate a ‘historic milestone’ as the Rossoblu have qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever.

The Rossoblu had never played in the Champions League but did feature in the 1964-65 European Cup winning one match and losing twice.

Atalanta‘s 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday allowed the Rossoblu to mathematically qualify for next season’s Champions League with two games to spare. Thiago Motta’s side had beaten Napoli 2-0 at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday.

Joey Saputo celebrates ‘historic Bologna milestone’

“I’m coming back to Bologna to celebrate this historic milestone alongside the entire city,” club owner Saputo told Bologna’s official website.

“Bologna is back in Europe and has made it into the top competition, the Champions League, 60 years after being in the European Cup. My family and I want to share this immense joy with Thiago and his lads who have had a memorable undertaking, with all the directors, staff, and partners of Bologna who work for the good of the Club every single day in a unique way with our fantastic fans who deserve this more than anything because they have always been alongside Bologna, even in our most difficult moments in history.”

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— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) May 12, 2024